Two friends jailed for intending to go to Syria to commit terrorism

KUALA LUMPUR: Two friends were sentenced to eight years' jail each by the High Court here today for attempting to travel to Syria for the commission of terrorist acts.
Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah handed down the sentence on Mohd Ridwan Mohd Musa, 30, who is a technician, and a petrol station cashier, Zulfadhli Jafri, 25, after they pleaded guilty to the charge.
The two men, who admitted having intention to go to Syria through Bangkok and Turkey, were ordered to serve the sentence from the date of their arrest, which was Oct 30 last year.
When handing down the sentence, Azman told Mohd Ridwan, who is the second of eight siblings, of his responsibility towards his family.
"Take care of your family. that is the biggest 'jihad' (holy war). Giving money to your parents can also take you to heaven. There is no need to go to Syria to fight , or any countries in conflict, to go to heaven," said Azman.
The two men were charged with committing at the Padang Besar Immigration Complex at 2.46pm on Oct 23 last year.
They were charged under Section 130JA of the Penal Code, which provides an imprisonment for up to 30 years, and shall also be liable to fine, upon conviction.
In mitigation, Mohd Ridwan, represented by lawyer Mohd Hezri Shaharil, said he should be given a second chance as he was still young and had no previous record.
Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi prosecuted, while Zulfadhli was unrepresented. — Bernama